Abdul Rahim (seated centre) with MSM members at the press conference.— Bernama photo
KUALA LUMPUR: The increase in salaries and allowances of members of parliament (MP) recently is not at their request, instead it is due to the government’s concern for their welfare and contributions to the country.
The Malaysian Senators Council (MSM) president, Tan Sri Abdul Rahim Abdul Rahman said the increase was done at a reasonable rate.
“It should be noted, that salaries of members of parliament in this country is the lowest when compared with countries in the rest of the world like Cambodia for example,” he said at a press conference at the parliament lobby here, yesterday.
He said the increase in salaries and allowances should not be associated with the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST).
Dewan Rakyat earlier passed the Members of Parliament (Remuneration) (Amendment) Bill 2014 related to the increase in salaries and allowances of members of parliament.
With the passing of the bill, the monthly salary of a member of Dewan Rakyat increases to RM16,000 from RM11,000, a member of the Senate (RM11,000 from RM7,000), Deputy President of the Senate and Dewan Rakyat (RM22,000 from RM16,000) and the president of the Senate and Dewan Rakyat (RM31,000 from RM20,000).
Currently, MPs receive a basic salary of RM6,508.59 per month in addition to a monthly allowance of RM5,000 to cover entertainment expenses, driver’s salary, travelling and mobile phone bill.
They are also paid an allowance of RM200 a day when attending a Dewan Rakyat session and a daily allowance of RM150 for attending meetings with government agencies. Abdul Rahim also reiterated MSM’s earlier statement expressing support for the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. — Bernama